Fine Gael must keep extra Gardaí on our streets
- Decision to end public safety operation a mistake
Labour justice spokesperson Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has slammed Fine Gael for failing to keep Gardaí on the streets in Dublin.
Deputy Ó Ríordáin said:
“Less than two months ago our city witnessed the most devastating night in living memory. There was an utter breakdown of law and order on our streets. This did not happen in a vacuum. Every Dubliner knows that the streets have felt increasingly unsafe for some time.
“Ensuring a strong Garda presence has been crucial to giving people faith that town is safe, to keeping businesses open and to protecting everyone working in the city.
“The news that additional funding for overtime to keep the streets safe is a hammer blow. Overtime is not the answer, we need to address the long-term issues with sustainability within the force as numbers entering Templemore continue to decrease. However seeing more Gardaí on the beat has provided a sense of security to many people at a very tense time for the city.
“Government needs to rethink this approach and rethink it fast. Public perception of safety matters. The decision to quietly withdraw this funding is a mistake and it proves that the Justice Minister is only interested in governing by press release, rather than implementing clear measures to protect people and help them feel safe.”